You may not like the fact that fungus dwells within you. Generally, we prefer not to think about it.
Yes, we know fungi are on our skin and in our mucous membranes. We can't see them and frankly they sound like science fiction so mostly we push the knowledge of these intimate freeloaders aside.
But when these inner residents get out of sorts and have tipped the balance for our gut flora the wrong way, we need to be brave and have a look within--at fungus.
Meet Candida.
Candida albicans is a type of fungus known as yeast that causes Candidiasis. It's responsible for vaginal infections, diaper rashes, and thrush.
The frequency of candida infections has been rising. Unfortunately many doctors aren't aware of the pervasiveness of candida albicans, nor do they realize just how much damage this yeast can dish out.
Candida can bore holes in your intestines, elbow its way into your bloodstream, and hit your organs with toxins. Species of Candida cause fungal infections in people with compromised immune systems.
About 75 percent of all women will have vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) at least once. Over 90 percent of those with HIV develop oropharyngeal candidiasis if they aren't on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
Antibiotic use, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and high carbohydrate diets throw off the body's natural flora balance.
When Candida overgrowth occurs, it ferments sugars and makes alcohol. This destabilizes blood sugar levels, and bring on an almighty craving for sugar. The more sugar you eat, the worse the cravings and symptoms become.
If you become allergic to Candida, low grade inflammation begins in the gut, leading to leaky gut syndrome. Food molecules leak into the bloodstream and end up who knows where, and may make you allergic to that food.
Leaky gut from Candida may affect your kidneys with allergic bladder or irritable bladder syndrome. You may have yeast around your nails, thrush in your mouth, vaginal infections, ringworm skin infection and athlete's foot.
You can curb Candida albicans overgrowth by cutting way back on sugar and carbohydrates which become sugars in the gut.
Chronic Candida overgrowth can cause nutritional deficiencies. Think about taking vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, along with mulit-vitamin and -mineral supplementation.
Taking probiotics helps re-balance your gut flora. Eating lots of vegetables will increase the prebiotics to support the probiotics.
Resources:
Yeast Problems And Candida: An Imbalance Implicated In Many Health Problems
http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/candida-and-gut-dysbiosis-articles/yeast-problems-and-candida:-an-imbalance-implicated-in-many-health-problems
Identifying Candida Symptoms
http://www.holistichelp.net/candida.html
Candida
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/candida.htm
Candidiasis
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/213853-overview
What are yeasts?
http://www.yeastgenome.org/VL-what_are_yeast.html
Thrush And Candida Diaper Rash
http://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Communicable/Fact-Sheets/Thrush-Candida-Diaper-Rash.htm
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger